HIV information not reaching gay and bisexual Indigenous communities

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2018-12-06 00:01

The HIV rate in the Indigenous community is rising due to a lack of connection between health services and at-risk communities, according to Aussie researchers. Researchers spoke to specialists in HIV, sexual health and Aboriginal sexual health promotion, especially relating to the HIV prevention medication, PrEP. HIV as a significant public health concern for Indigenous Australians, according to the respondents. They cited many reasons for this, including stigma preventing ‘coming out’ and accessing services in Indigenous communities, under-resourced indigenous medical services and a need for better health promotion. Australia aims to prevent all new HIV infections, but this will not be possible unless we effectively promote HIV prevention tools to Aboriginal Australians, according to researchers.

Journal/conference: ANZJPH

Organisation/s: The Kirby Institute for Infection and Immunity in Society